I have a real soft spot for this pub - it reminds me of the scruffy pubs I used to frequent as a teen. I feel very at home here, even though I'm no longer the grungey youth I was. But I wish they'd get some decent beers in. Guest ales would be good, or some nicer largers. It's certainly not a top-class pub, but there's always a nice atmosphere - and who can fault a place that has so many lock ins?!

It's amazing what one puts up with when it comes to locals isn't it? What other business could remain as scruffy and awful as so many pubs do and yet retain such a loyal customer base?

I actually quite like the Alma (speaking as a regular at the Thicket may not qualify me as the best of judges) although their musical policy does leave a lot to be desired - I mean, Smoke on the Water? Pur-leaze?

The state of the inside of this place is getting a bit shameful. Gaffer tape on the seats, stuffing falling out of seats... It was never Interior-design Centrale but the feeling of decline is a bit all-pervasive.

Is nothing being done 'cos it's still up for sale? The new look Alma's turning into the next Cuban general election. With poorer quality cigars.

Fighting Nighthawks in the sky
Brave and loyal are these guys
Brothers turning wrong to right
Never running from a fight, fight, fight
Fighting Nightingales

The price has dropped again on it a family member was thinking of purchasing the lease but it its present state its still not worth it. All my lot have gone back down the Hollybush there obviously turning into snobs in their old age !

A once better establishment still manges to hold its own on a good night, the trouble is its choosing and finding it as apposed to walking in at any time.

Its a bit run down, at first adding a charm but even the ol Cambridge had a make-over eventually (sorry Wilf dont shed too many tears!) so this could make some effort... and the toilets could soon become a health hazard, when not getting told the joys of a night of Ecstasy while doing your Jimmy Becks...

The live band nights can be great, as long as the staff ain't dupping you a non-jukebox cd they are playing isn't 'live music'

And the staff can have moments that make you smile, even offer a pint top up...

And so, a pub that can offer charm when it wants to, if it could distroy the bad points that almost equal the good ones, it could be a good establishment once again...